ACTS of the Apostles, part 2

ACTS of the Apostles, Part 2

Learning How to be Daring and Dynamic

Read Acts 23:1-22

Focus Verse: Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

To set the stage for our rather disturbing passage today, here are a few phrases:

“strike him (Paul) on the mouth” v. 2

“a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadduccess” v.6

“there was a great uproar” v. 9

“the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces” v. 9

Once again, Paul is the centerpiece of persecution because his of his message about the resurrected Christ. His ongoing turmoil doesn't seem to have an end! Thankfully our header verse brings hope: “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage…”. Ahhh, how comforting that the Lord stood by him and spoke words directly to him.

With this promise, Paul could face the news of a murder-plot—forty Jews were part of this conspiracy, pledging not to eat or drink until Paul was dead. However, “the son of Paul’s sister heard of the ambush” and told Paul, who then told the his nephew to go and tell the tribune. In doing so, Paul’s life was spared.

I have 2 take-aways from these 22 verses:

1. Just as the Lord stood by Paul, believe the Lord also stands by you. Trust him in the midst your trial. Once again learn from his life, which was marked with so much difficulty, and yet at the same time, he had so much uncontainable fervor for the Lord. Paul pressed on and so must we!

2. And also, when considering Paul's nephew's "little" place in biblical history, believe that God can use our willing hearts in the smallest of ways to accomplish the biggest of plans. We, too, are part of his Kingdom work! Do you need to speak up, bringing light to a situation or truth to a heart? Be willing, take courage say a prayer, and proceed because… just like Paul...

…the Lord is standing by your side.

Dear Lord,

Thank you that you never leave us. You are our strong support in any situation. Fill us with courage to proceed in spite of all that spins around us. Also, give us willing hearts to be used by you, realizing that one small act of obediences can make a big difference in progressing your kingdom. Amen.